NETBALL SCOOP: NWC 2023 Preview – Pools C & D

NETBALL SCOOP: NWC 2023 Preview – Pools C & D

Cover Image: May Bailey

**Teams correct at the time of publishing. Where sources have spelled names differently, the most common usage has been included.

 

Check out our Preview of Pools A & B

Now, Netball Scoop’s preview of the 2023 Netball World Cup continues, as we look at Pools C & D.


 

GROUP C

 

JAMAICA

Team
Romelda Aiken-George
Shanice Beckford
Kadie-Ann Dehaney
Nicole Dixon-Rochester
Jhaniele Fowler (C)
Crystal Plummer
Rebekah Robinson
Shamera Sterling
Adean Thomas
Jodi-Ann Ward
Khadijah Williams
Latanya Wilson

Reserves
Shimona Nelson
Kimone Shaw
Abigail Sutherland

Coach
Connie Francis

World Ranking: 4th
World Cup appearances: 15
Medals: 3 (Bronze: 3 – 1991, 2003, 2007)
Finish at 2019 NWC: 5th

 

Jamaica have been a part of every Netball World Cup to date. It’s perhaps surprising they’ve managed, at best, three third-place finishes, given they’ve been highly-competitive since the 1991 tournament in Sydney. The closest the Sunshine Girls have come to a spot in the final was in 1999, when they lost the Semi Final against New Zealand by two goals.

After a disappointing campaign in Liverpool, with a fifth-place finish, Jamaica will no doubt be looking to redeem themselves. They claimed an historic Silver at last year’s Commonwealth Games, with a view and belief they can go one better in Cape Town.

Despite missing their Super Netball stars, Jamaica won Gold at the recent Central American and Caribbean Games, with a 50-34 win over Trinidad and Tobago in the final. 

 

The X Factors

Jamaica are arguably a stronger side than the one who were narrowly defeated by Australia at last year’s Commonwealth Games, and that should rightly scare other nations. There is only one change to the Silver-winning group, due to the retirement of Shadine Hemmings. Their Super Netball athletes have another year of experience to their names, while home-based athletes have had time to work on any flaws through their domestic Elite League.

Led by captain Jhaniele Fowler, the Jamaican shooting circle is a standout. Both Fowler and Romelda Aiken-George are formidable targets – tall, athletic, capable of high volumes and rarely miss. Shanice Beckford is crafty and dynamic at goal attack, who sweeps the circle, while Rebekah Robinson also fills the role nicely.

The Sunshine Girls defensive end is the best in the world. Shamera Sterling and Latanya Wilson have continued to build their combination at the Adelaide Thunderbirds, which recently culminated in the side winning the 2023 Super Netball title. Both have the capability of picking off plenty of ball, and rarely attract a large amount of whistle.

Jodi-Ann Ward and Wilson can play across both goal and wing defence positions, and are also strong ball carriers through court – an important skill to support a midcourt who have had conditioning questions at times. Kadie-Ann Dehaney heads into her third World Cup, and rounds out a group who will provide plenty of headaches for their opposition.

 

The Challenges

Jamaica’s midcourt tends to be underrated – they can be expensive at times, but at last year’s Commonwealth Games they tidied their possession game. With the midcourt all based back in Jamaica, coach Connie Francis has had plenty of time to work with them, developing combinations, while exciting newcomer Crystal Plummer adds defensive capability.

If opposition are to exploit any chinks in the Sunshine Girls’ armour, it will be by applying pressure to the ball carriers in the attacking third. Khadijah Williams, Nicole Dixon-Rochester and Beckford can all feed the post beautifully, but strong tagging and hands-over presence may cause some misfired passes.

Jamaica have been impacted by the late finish of Super Netball, with Australian-based athletes unable to fly home before heading to South Africa. However, with Plummer the only change from their Commonwealth Games line, it shouldn’t take too long for combinations to re-form.

This could well be another historic year for Jamaica, as they will be tough to beat.

 

Jamaica will have potentially the best defensive end of the tournament. Image May Bailey


 

SOUTH AFRICA

Team
Khanyisa Chawane
Izette Griesel
Phumza Maweni
Bongiwe Msomi (C)
Lenize Potgieter
Karla Pretorius (VC)
Nicola Smith
Jeante Strydom
Nichole Taljaard
Elmere van der Berg
Shadine van der Merwe
Ine-Mari Venter

Reserves
Owethu Ngubane
Refiloe Nketsa
Lefebre Rademan

Coach
Norma Plummer

World Ranking: 5th
World Cup appearances: 9
Medals: 2 (Silver: 1995, Bronze: 1967)
Finish at 2019 NWC: 4th

 

For the first time ever, South Africa will host the Netball World Cup, with matches to be played at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. 

The Proteas finished fourth in Liverpool under the guidance of Australian Norma Plummer and will be hopeful of nabbing a third podium placing this time round. They will be wanting to improve dramatically on their effort at last year’s Commonwealth Games when they dropped back to sixth place, falling 54-48 to Uganda. 

 

The X Factors

Netball South Africa President Cecilia Molokwane made the host team’s intentions clear at the squad announcement, saying, “We can’t host and become spectators in our own backyard – we need to make sure that South Africa and other African countries make it to the podium”. 

Plummer steps back into the head coaching role after holding the position from 2015 to 2019. She is one of the most identifiable netball figures, with a long and respected coaching resume. Without affording guarantees, she has promised to provide the athletes with all the knowledge she has to ensure they have the best chance of success. Plummer outlined that she picked a squad that can interchange well and not lose momentum (crucial at tournaments), and is confident in the squad’s ability to play across multiple positions if required, stating those selected are a group that blends well together.

Nicole Cusack is another name familiar to Australians, who reprises her role as assistant coach. It is no coincidence that South Africa enjoyed success and an improved world ranking under the strict guidance of Plummer and Cusack during their first tenure. They are well-versed in the Australian playing style and will demand solid one-on-one defensive structure and an efficient attacking end.

Karla Pretorius is arguably the best goal defender in the world. Though she had been in the national team since 2011, it was at the 2015 Netball World Cup in Sydney where she burst onto the world stage. The star was instrumental in helping Sunshine Coast Lightning win back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, being the first South African netballer afforded a Super Netball contract. After taking a break in 2022 for the birth of her daughter Kara, Pretorious returned to the Lightning this year.

As the Proteas vice-captain, Pretorious’ biggest strength is leading by example on court. Her elusive style of play makes her a threat, and can win back the ball at any time. Coupled with her ability to read the game, and transition through court, South Africa will not struggle to create turnovers. Her connection with former Lightning teammate Phumza Maweni should also hold them in good stead.

 

The Challenges

There is a blend of youth and experience in the Proteas team, with four athletes set to make their World Cup debuts – Nicola Smith, Jeante Strydom, Nicholé Taljaard, and Elmere van der Berg. 

This could prove to be more than a challenge, even for the seasoned Plummer. While there will be strong leadership in the group, with captain Bongi Msomi and Pretorius to guide the younger athletes, little can compete with experience at this level. However, if there was a coach at the World Cup with enough pedigree to blood young athletes into such an intense melting pot of pressure and expectation, there is surely no one more qualified than Plummer.

Hosting their first pinnacle event in front of a raucous home crowd could go either way for South Africa. They could be spurred on, or the occasion could get the better of them. Either way, it is highly likely that South Africa will have to find a way to beat either Jamaica or New Zealand to progress into the semi-finals, or find they can finish no higher than fifth.

 

Proteas take a knee post match. Image: Skhu Nkomphela

South Africa’s traditional post match prayer circle. Image: Skhu Nkomphela


 

WALES

Team
Nia Jones (C)
Bethan Dyke (VC)
Lucy Howells
Clare Jones
Nansi Kuti
Zoe Matthewman
Shona O’Dwyer
Ella Powell-Davies
Georgia Rowe
Christina Shaw
Sarie Watkins
Phillipa Yarranton

Reserves
Abigail Caple
Millie Carter
Megan Pilkington

Coach
Emily Handyside

World Ranking: 9th
World Cup appearances: 13
Finish at 2019 NWC:


Wales have only missed two World Cup appearances, 1967 in Perth and 2019 in Liverpool. Their best finish has been sixth, in 1975 and 1983. 

Last year, they achieved a top-eight finish at the Commonwealth Games, followed by an undefeated run at the Netball World Cup qualifiers, which included a seven-goal win over rivals Scotland. They also defeated the Thistles in a recent warm up match. 

 

The X Factors

Due to the strength of Netball Europe, one nation can usually consider themselves unlucky to miss out on a World Cup berth. In 2019 it was Wales who failed to make the cut (this time around it’s Northern Ireland). That moment provoked reflection and a determination to improve from those involved. 

After initially joining as a technical coach ahead of the 2022 Netball Europe Qualifiers, Emily Handyside took over as Wales’ head coach early this year. Handyside has had various coaching roles in the past, but this will be her biggest test to date. Southern Steel head coach Reinga Bloxham has since come on board as a specialist coach, and she adds years of experience from her time in the ANZ Premiership and Silver Ferns setup.

Christina Shaw and Ella Powell-Davies are forming a strong defensive combination. Meanwhile, Georgia Rowe continues to improve her game, and the team will utilise her height to great effect. Nia Jones and Bethan Dyke will lead the squad, and with Clare Jones, bring considerable experience to the midcourt.

 

The Challenges

Most of the squad are appearing at their first World Cup, given the country’s last appearance was in 2015. Although Wales have been to two Commonwealth Games in the meantime, that lack of World Cup tournament experience is not ideal.

By far the greatest challenge facing Handyside is simply the strength of their opponents. They’ve had the misfortune to land in the strongest Pool at the World Cup.

Wales will face a fired-up South Africa playing in front of their adoring home fans in their first match. As if that wasn’t enough, just 17 hours later the Feathers will have to back up against the might of Jamaica.

Those opening matches against two top-five ranked nations will be a huge test of the resilience of the squad, before they go on to meet 15th-ranked Sri Lanka – a match they almost certainly need to win in order to finish in the top 12.

 

Captain Nia Jones always leads the way for Wales. Image: Simon Leonard


 

SRI LANKA

Team
Thishala Algama
Semini Alwis
Gayanjali Amarawansa
Bhashini Yoshitha De Silva
Gayani Dissanayake
Rashmi Diwyanjali
Malmi Hettiarachchi
Chathurangi Jayasooriya
Gayathri Kaushalya
Shanika Perera
Tharjini Sivalingam
Dulangi Wannithilake

Reserves
Rukshala Hapuarachchi
Tharushi Navodya Perera
Chamudi Wickramarathne

Coach
Thilaka Jinadasa

World Ranking: 15th
World Cup appearances: 10
Finish at 2019 NWC: 15th

 

Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) appeared in the very first World Cup in Eastbourne in 1963, and have been involved with nine further tournaments since 1983.

They have finished in the bottom two at the last two Netball World Cups, and will be aiming for a better performance after a strong showing at the 2022 Asian Championships last September, which doubled as the Asian World Cup Qualifiers. In that event, Sri Lanka emerged undefeated, clipping Singapore 63-53 in the final.

 

The X Factors

Currently the tallest netballer on the international scene at around 2.06m, Tharjini Sivalingam initially declared that there was no intention of participating at a third World Cup, after assisting Sri Lanka to the berth at the 2022 Asian Netball Championships. But, things have changed, having been named by coach Thilaka Jinadasa, despite not attending selection trials as she was playing in the Victorian Netball League in Australia.

Sivalingam’s stature holds much of the burden regarding Sri Lanka’s chances. Affectionately known as ‘Genie’, the 43-year old led the table for most goals at the 2019 Netball World Cup, netting 348/375 at 93% – equating to 90% of the team’s total tournament goals.

Midcourter Gayanjali Amarawansa will lead the team, with defender and former captain Chathurangi Jayasooriya adding valuable experience.

 

The Challenges

Across the last three World Cups, Sri Lanka have only managed to finish 14th (2011), 16th (2015), and 15th (2019) – in the latter two events they were pitted against Asian counterparts Singapore in the playoff.

Coach Jinadasa has stated that the team is aiming for a finish between 12th and 14th on this occasion, but it will be a tough ask. They could not have been placed in a more difficult Pool, facing teams ranked fourth, fifth, and ninth first up. A lack of top international competition, especially against teams from outside Asia, has been an ongoing problem. 

 

Hands over pressure by Sri Lanka at 2019 Netball World Cup. Image May Bailey


 

GROUP D

 

NEW ZEALAND

Team
Karin Burger
Gina Crampton
Ameliaranne Ekenasio (C)
Maddy Gordon
Kate Heffernan
Kelly Jury
Phoenix Karaka
Grace Nweke
Te Paea Selby-Rickit
Whitney Souness
Jane Watson
Maia Wilson

Reserves
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Tiana Metuarau
Mila Reuelu-Buchanan

Coach
Noeline Taurua

World Ranking: 2nd
World Cup appearances: 15
Medals: 15 (Gold: 5, Silver: 8, Bronze: 2)
Finish at 2019 NWC: 1st

 

The Silver Ferns are the defending champions, after a thrilling 52-51 win over Australia four years ago. The second-most successful nation in World Cup history, New Zealand have claimed a top-three placing at every tournament. 

Since the introduction of semi-finals, they have never lost one, although they have been run close on a couple of occasions. They claimed Bronze in last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

 

The X Factors

As the saying goes, ‘In Noels we trust’ and that the Kiwis do. One of the most successful coaches in the world, Dame Noeline Taurua took over as head coach in 2018, after the side’s worst-ever Commonwealth Games result.

Taurua quickly turned the team around, leading the Ferns to Gold at the 2019 World Cup and bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, despite missing key athletes. The strict fitness requirements have resulted in the Ferns being one of the fittest teams in the world, beneficial given the back-to-back games endured at the World Cup.

New Zealand’s domestic league wrapped up in early June, and given all athletes reside in the country, the squad will have had almost eight weeks together prior to the World Cup starting.

In this leadup the team repeated the winning recipe from 2019 – a training camp on the Sunshine Coast (where Taurua used to coach Sunshine Coast Lightning) and also spent time with former Fern great Laura Langman.

The athlete X-factor has to be young gun Grace Nweke. At only 21 years old, she has already taken the ANZ Premiership by storm, with the Northern Mystics recently winning the Grand Final 74-56, with Nweke contributing 70 goals.

At the 2023 Quad Series in Jamaica, Nweke was named best goaler and Player of the Series. Kate Heffernan was awarded midcourter of the Series, and is widely regarded as a formidable opponent.

The Ferns are captained by Ameliaranne Ekenasio, a calm, accurate and mobile goaler who was crucial to their 2019 success. The team has a great balance of experience and youth, versatility and specialist athletes, with a number of notable combinations being pulled from the domestic competition. 

There are six World Cup debutantes in the squad and six returnees, including Phoenix Karaka who is the only athlete attending her third World Cup. Since Liverpool, retirements have seen the Silver Ferns lose around 750 caps, but the international exposure the side has experienced in the last few years should go some way to alleviate that – all athletes have spent some time in the black dress.

 

The Challenges

One of New Zealand’s biggest challenges will be naming a starting seven. While there is talent galore, and many of the athletes play a variety of positions, not a single squad member is a starting Wing Defence for their current domestic team. Likely contenders see Karin Burger and Phoenix Karaka sliding from Goal Defence to Wing Defence, or Kate Heffernan and Maddy Gordon (who both predominantly play Centre) making the shift.

The squad was widely considered a safe and predictable selection, possibly lacking some of the flair frequently seen in the ANZ Premiership. Although midcourter Whitney Souness certainly offers this on attack, some local and international fans were disappointed that Nweke’s Mystics partner-in-crime, Peta Toeava, didn’t make the squad – a dynamic and wily Wing Attack specialist who provides a load of spark to her more conservative counterparts.

There’s a worry that no-one can feed Nweke quite like Peta can, but it will be an opportunity for stalwart Gina Crampton to reinforce why she is considered one of the best Wing Attacks in the world.

With a restriction of imports in the domestic competition, the Silver Ferns could possibly take time to adjust to different styles of play. This particularly applies to the formidable Jamaican defensive unit, who were largely absent the last few times the two countries met. The two sides will meet during the middle stages of the tournament, with the result likely to determine who tops the combined C & D pools, and who has the more difficult cross over match in the semis. 

 

Quad Series runners up, New Zealand Silver Ferns. Image: Skhu Nkomphela

Quad Series runners up, New Zealand Silver Ferns. Image: Skhu Nkomphela


 

UGANDA

Team
Lillian Achola
Margret Baagala (VC)
Mary Cholhok
Irene Eyaru (C)
Faridah Kadondi
Norah Lunkuse
Hanisha Muhammad
Christine Nakitto
Shaffie Nalwanja
Christine Namulumba Kango
Stella Nanfuka
Shadia Nassanga

Reserves
Viola Asingo
Annet Najjuka
Sarah Nakiyunga

Coach 
Fred Mugerwa 

World Ranking: 8th
World Cup appearances: 3
Finish at 2019 NWC: 7th

 

Over the past decade, Uganda has gone from relative obscurity to solidify a position amongst the world’s top ten. This will be a third successive World Cup for the nation, after finishing eighth in Sydney in 2015, and seventh in Liverpool. 

The She Cranes reached the top five in last year’s Commonwealth Games tournament in Birmingham, defeating South Africa in the playoff and automatically qualified (for the first time) for Cape Town by virtue of obtaining a ranking of sixth year by mid-August last year.

 

The X Factors

Not much has been said about Uganda in the build up to Cape Town, which allows them to fly under the radar somewhat. It’s a case of out of sight, out of mind, and easy to forget how well they played in Birmingham to finish above South Africa and Malawi. Ever-improving, if they can carry on their winning momentum, they could challenge even further.

At just over two metres tall, Mary Cholhok has a significant height advantages for opponents to overcome, and has proven to be a tremendous spearhead for the She Cranes. Thanks largely to playing with Loughborough Lightning in the Super League, Cholhok’s game is improving with every year. She is sure to be the focal point, particularly given Proscovia Peace will miss on medical grounds.

But, it’s far from a one-athlete show. Cholhok will likely be joined in the goal circle by captain Irene Eyaru – one who is more than willing to put up a high proportion of attempts. Her combination with Cholhok worked very well in Birmingham, where they were the preferred pairing against England, Malawi and the playoff against South Africa.

Shaffie Nalwanja is also one to look out for in the defence end – solid as a rock at goal keeper at the Games.

 

The Challenges

Unfortunately, injury has beset the She Cranes, meaning there are several new faces in the squad. Only two athletes in this squad took part four years ago – Stella Nanfuka and Cholhok – and only three of the starting seven from Birmingham. 

One of Uganda’s best and most important attacking athletes, Stella Oyella, suffered a serious knee injury during the Super League season. Meanwhile, defender and former captain Joan Nampungu, and midcourter Jessica Achan have also been ruled out. Their woes may see them struggle to compete at the level they did at the last Commonwealth Games. 

Uganda has lacked international competition since their terrific run in Birmingham. They didn’t compete at the African Regional Qualifiers last year, citing a lack of funding, although it was also the case they didn’t need to participate given they had already qualified for the World Cup.

 

Uganda were some of the crowd favourites at the 2019 Netball World Cup. Image May Bailey


 

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Team
Alina Brooks
Tia Bruno
Joelisa Cooper
Tiana Dillon
Oprah Douglas
Shaquanda Greene-Noel
Jameela McCarthy
Jeresia McEachrane
Shaniya Morgan
Afeisha Noel
Shantal Seemungal
Daystar Swift

Reserves
Shantael Perry-McEwan
Jellene Richardson
Afiya Vincent

Coach
Joel Young-Strong

World Ranking: 11th
World Cup appearances: 14
Medals: 3 (Gold: 1979, Silver: 1987, Bronze: 1983)
Finish at 2019 NWC: 9th

 

Trinidad and Tobago have a special place in netball history as one of only three countries to have won a World Cup. That came at home in Port-of-Spain in 1979, when they shared the title with Australia and New Zealand. The results for the Calypso Girls in recent times are a far cry from their podium finishes, with the team currently ranked just outside the top 10. 

They finished ninth at the last World Cup and qualified for Cape Town at the Americas Regional Qualifiers, where they had a 10-goal win over Caribbean rivals Barbados.  

 

The X Factors

Shaquanda Greene-Noel has elevated herself to be one of the world’s best defenders. At last year’s Birmingham Games, she was in elite company, ending the tournament with more possession gains per game than any defender – even Shamera Sterling. 

Playing in what was an otherwise-struggling team, Greene-Noel was a genuine highlight, with her form for Celtic Dragons in the past two Super League seasons backing that up. Opponent will have to be right on their game to contend. 

In the shooting circle, the Girls will be depending on the experience of Afeisha Noel and Joelisa Cooper, who reached her 100th Test in Birmingham.

 

The Challenges

A powerhouse of world netball during the 1970’s and 80’s, Trinidad and Tobago have struggled to reach those dizzying heights since. Their force began to decline when they were unable to raise the funds necessary to make the trip to Australia for the monumental 1991 World Cup in Sydney.

Since the turn of the new millennium, they’ve had to be content sitting within the next rungs of international challengers, claiming a position no higher than seventh at a World Cup over the last two decades.

Unfortunately, Trinidad and Tobago is sorely missing the services of shooter Sam Wallace, who is yet to recover from a serious knee injury sustained well over a year ago. Without Wallace, they are struggling to convert defensive gains. The Calypso Girls just managed to hold onto a top-12 ranking, which led to them participating in Birmingham,  however their only win came courtesy of a 63-31 victory in the 11/12th playoff against Barbados. 

 

Trinidad & Tobago will be without the services of Sam Wallace. Image May Bailey


 

SINGAPORE

Team
Aquilah Andin
Amandeep Kaur Chahal
Reena Manogaran
Goh Wei Ping
Khor Ting Fang (C)
Angelina Lim
Jamie Lim
Kimberly Lim
Rachel Ling
Tan Yi Jie
Toh Kai Wei (C)
Yew Shu Ning

Reserves
Laura Low
K Mishalenee
Sherlyn Yip

Coach
Annette Bishop

World Ranking: 28th
World Cup appearances: 9
Finish at 2019 NWC: 16th

 

Singapore first competed at the World Cup in 1967 in Perth. The country has a proud record of hosting two events, in 1983 and 2011.

On the playing side, their best performance was in 1999, where they surprised many by finishing 12th out of 26 countries under the guidance of Sue Gaudion, and with the support of Australian import Jocelyn Bryant. 

Since the tournament has been restricted to 16 nations, Singapore has been placed in the bottom two each time, alongside their fellow Asian nations Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

 

The X Factors

After starting out as the team’s performance analyst, Annette Bishop is relishing her time as head coach. After finishing second at the Asian Regional Qualifiers to book their spot in Cape Town, the team came away with a third placing at last year’s Nations Cup in Singapore, behind Botswana and Fiji.

Defender Yew Shu Ning won the MVP award for Singapore at the event, while Aquilah Andin took the award for Singapore A. Along with Jamie Lim, they add depth to the goal defence and wing defence positions. Co-captains Khor Ting Fang at centre, and Toh Kei Wei at goal attack, bring stability to the team, while wing attack Kimberly Lim is an exciting link between the two.

 

The Challenges

An issue in recent years has been finding top international competition outside of the World Cup. Singapore is the lowest-ranked competitor at this event at 28th, nine positions lower than Fiji. 

That ranking means Singapore misses out on the Commonwealth Games, where only the top 12 ranked nations are invited. The Covid pandemic also saw a break of two years in Singapore hosting their regular Nations Cup tournament, meaning a lack of quality match play against a range of different playing styles.

One perennial challenge for Singapore is a lack of height. There are only two athletes in this squad taller than 180cm, which makes it difficult to compete at times.

 

Singapore competing at the 2019 Netball World Cup. Image May Bailey

 

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

About the Author:

Go to Top